Last week we spoke about how Balak,
the king of the Moabites, wanted Balaam, a sorcerer, to come and
curse the Israelites in the hope of defeating them in battle, but
God told Balaam no. He cannot curse those that God has blessed. But
the lure of money was too tempting for Balaam and he decided to go
to King Balak, in the hope that he can still 'twist God's arm' on
the way and curse them. God was furious with Balaam and He sent the
angel of the Lord to stop him from going. But on the way to Balak
something strange happened. Now as it turned out, Balaam's donkey
saw the angel standing in the road with his sword drawn to kill
Balaam. The donkey tried to prevent it from happening and bolted
off the road into the field. Balaam didn't know what was happening
and was very angry at his wayward donkey. He beat his donkey to
return to the road, which it subsequently did. But this incident
didn't deter the angel. He went to stand further down the road
where it narrowed. This time the donkey squeezed past the angel,
crushing Balaam's foot in the process. Needless to say he was
furious yet again. Then the angel moved even further down the road
where the road was so narrow there was no escape this time. This
time the donkey simply lay down and refused to move any further.
Balaam was beside himself with rage at the turn of events and beat
the donkey very hard this time. And then something strange
happened, the Lord caused the donkey to speak:
"What have I done to you that
deserves your beating me these three times?" It asked Balaam.
"Because you have made me look like a fool!" Balaam shouted. "If I
had a sword with me, I would kill you!" But I am the same donkey
you always ride on," the donkey answered. "Have I ever done
anything like this before?" "No," he admitted. Then the Lord opened
Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the
roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam fell face down on
the ground before him." Numbers 22:28-31
Wow, that must have been quite
something to see. A donkey that can speak, saving his master from
certain death! It just shows you how God can use anyone, anywhere,
even a speaking donkey.
Today I think this real life story
illustrates two things to us. Number one, there are many things
going on in the spiritual realm that we cannot see. The things we
cannot see is just as real, even more real than the things that we
do see. God is constantly at work in our lives. Either
disciplining us like Balaam here, or protecting us from evil
onslaughts or leading us away from the wrong paths unto the right
paths. But you can be assured that God is constantly at work in
your life, even if you cannot see it in the natural. I think the
amount of activities going on in the supernatural would astound us
if we were able to see it.
Number two, God can use anyone,
literally anyone. So think before you lash out at someone like
Balaam did, maybe God is in fact using them to protect and help
you. Balaam's pride was hurt by the actions of his donkey and that
is why he reacted so severely, but he later realized that it was so
unnecessary. We can learn from it and should stop to think before
we act. Maybe God wants to help you in the situation. For example
someone might be driving very slowly in front of you on your way to
work, but because you drove so slowly you missed the accident a few
blocks down the line. Who knows. Be patient and see your life in
God's hands. And know that He can use you too. Maybe next time, you
are the one protecting others from getting hurt.
Father, thank you very much that
You are in control. Thank you for leading and guiding us. Help us
to be patient with Your leading and with those people you use. We
know that You know best. Amen